In Xuzhou, Zhang Jian and Yang Qiu exchanged a smile when they received the imperial edict.

They had been acting without the emperor's knowledge, taking it upon themselves to behead these powerful families and officials of Xuzhou and display their heads in public. They had considered the consequences they would face, and it was only after receiving the emperor's edict that they felt relieved.

Watching the last cartload of grain being transported into the official granary, Zhang Jian looked at Yang Qiu with a sense of relief, "Commander Yang, you've worked hard. Now that this matter is settled, you should return to Luoyang to report to His Majesty."

Yang Qiu smiled and said, "Yes, it's time to go back! Governor Zhang, although we haven't known each other for long, it feels like we've known each other for ages. With your talent, it's not impossible for you to enter the imperial court in the future. I'll be waiting for you in Luoyang!"

"Okay! See you in Luoyang sometime!"

Yang Qiu and Zhang Jian exchanged a smile, and then Yang Qiu led the Xuzhou inspection team away from Xuzhou and back to Luoyang.

At the same time, the tax collection in various prefectures and counties also came to an end. Cao Song, as the Grand Minister of Agriculture, began to collect and organize the tax ledgers from various places and began to compile statistics on the tax revenue of the Han Dynasty this year.

After several days of sorting and compiling statistics, Cao Song looked at the national treasury revenue in the ledgers and finally couldn't help but burst into laughter, attracting frequent glances from the officials in the government office.

In the Chongde Hall, civil and military officials, led by the Three Dukes, stood on both sides of the hall. Almost everyone had a relaxed and happy expression on their face because a few days ago, they had all received their salaries that the court had owed them for many years.

Now that the autumn harvest is over, everyone has learned about this year's tax situation through various channels, and the results are encouraging. Everyone is quietly waiting for the emperor's arrival.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

With a loud shout from Zhao Zhong, Liu Hong, dressed in imperial robes, walked out from the back hall, and all the court officials bowed in unison.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"

"My lords, you may rise in formalities!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After the emperor and his ministers had finished exchanging greetings, Liu Hong looked at Cao Song and asked, "Grand Minister of Agriculture, has the autumn harvest tax been collected and processed this year?"

Cao Song stepped forward from among the officials, bowed to Liu Hong, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, except for Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Liangzhou, the taxes of the other prefectures and counties have been sorted and counted. Apart from the fact that the official granaries in various places have been fully replenished, the rest have all been included in the national treasury!"

"Very well! Please let the Grand Minister of Agriculture announce the specific income."

"promise!"

Then Cao Song took out the compiled report from his sleeve and began to read out this year's tax revenue with a radiant smile.

"The Han Dynasty had 400 million mu of registered cultivated land, with an estimated grain output of 800 million shi, and an actual output of 700 million shi." (At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the ruled area was approximately 5 million square kilometers, and the actual cultivated land should be about one-third of that.) (The previous controversy has been corrected!)

The advance tax revenue was 170 million shi, and with the confiscated tax revenue from powerful families, the actual revenue was 190 million shi of grain and 9 billion coins. The remaining goods have not yet been counted, but their value is estimated to be no less than 2 billion. Salt and iron revenue has decreased to only 8 billion coins.

After deducting the costs of making up for previous years' deficits, local government granaries, military expenditures, and officials' salaries, the total surplus was ten million shi of grain and twenty billion coins!

As Cao Song announced a series of figures, all the officials in the court showed joy on their faces.

For the past seven or eight years, since the reign of Emperor Xiaohuan, the national treasury has been experiencing negative growth in both revenue and expenditure. Expenditure has been increasing while revenue has been decreasing, resulting in a growing deficit. If this continues, the national treasury may collapse at any moment.

Now that the emperor has only been on the throne for half a year, the national treasury revenue has improved, and these officials who assist in governing are also honored, finally no longer having to face the accusations and curses of the world.

Perhaps the emperor used some methods they were unaware of, but with the fiscal deficit improving after many years, no one paid attention to those details anymore. After all, the previously owed salaries were made up, and the emperor also bestowed rewards, so they all benefited.

"We, your humble servants, offer our congratulations to Your Majesty, and to the Great Han Dynasty!"

All the officials began to offer their congratulations. With the finances improving, their pressure was greatly reduced. As long as things proceeded step by step in the next few years, the restoration of national strength would be just around the corner.

"Haha~ I celebrate with all my ministers!"

Liu Hong stood up with a radiant face and a hearty smile. In the six months since he ascended the throne, today was arguably the happiest day of his life.

Although this surplus is not much compared to the vast country of Han, it is a good start. Success after hard work is undoubtedly the most inspiring.

"Minister Yin Xun!"

"Your subject is here!"

"The Imperial Secretariat shall draft an edict to announce this year's tax revenue to the world, and I will celebrate with all my ministers and subjects!"

Liu Hong waved his sleeve and announced that a royal banquet would be held that night, which could be attended by all civil and military officials, as well as scholars and Confucian masters!

The bustling atmosphere of the imperial court seemed to have no effect on Chang Le Palace. Empress Dowager Dou Miao had not attended court many times and never inquired about any political affairs.

With the help of female officials, Liu Hong would prepare his breakfast every day, or go to the back garden to admire the flowers. They would also occasionally summon the female relatives of court officials to the palace for conversation, making life in the deep palace not seem boring.

Inside Chang Le Palace, Yuan Feng's wife, Cui, was chatting with Dou Miao, and the topics they discussed were nothing more than trivial family matters.

Just a few days ago, Yuan Feng was promoted to Sikong, one of the Three Dukes. Dou Miao also realized Liu Hong's intentions, so she summoned Cui to Changle Palace to show the royal family's goodwill towards the Yuan family.

Dou Miao looked at the slightly reserved Cui Shi and said with a smile, "The Yuan family has served as three dukes throughout history, devoting themselves wholeheartedly to the Han Dynasty. They have made great contributions, and their success is inseparable from the assistance of virtuous wives like Madam Yuan!"

Cui was somewhat flattered and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. Managing the household and educating the children is my duty. The Yuan family is where it is today entirely because of His Majesty and the Empress Dowager's reliance and trust!"

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